Thinking about a career change into the tech world? Web development is a field brimming with opportunity, and you might be wondering if it’s the right path for you. Before you invest in a full bootcamp or a paid program, exploring free coding courses is a smart move. It lets you test the waters, see if you enjoy coding, and build a foundational understanding.
This article is your guide to navigating the world of free coding classes, with a special focus on how they can help you determine if Career Foundry Coding programs are the right next step for your career journey. We’ll explore some of the best free resources available, helping you get a feel for web development and decide if it’s the career direction you’re looking for.
Kickstarting Your Coding Journey
One of the biggest hurdles for aspiring coders is simply knowing where to begin. It’s easy to get lost in the sheer volume of information and options, spending more time researching than actually coding. The truth is, there’s no single “perfect” starting point.
The best approach is often to just dive in. Any introductory course will give you a foundation and a clearer picture of what lies ahead. As you learn and gain experience, you can refine your path based on your evolving understanding of the field. Think of it like diagnosing a car issue – you start with the basics and then narrow down the problem as you learn more.
Top Free Coding Classes to Consider
Here are some of the best free coding classes available online. This list is designed to give you a broad overview of web development and help you assess if Career Foundry coding programs align with your goals.
CareerFoundry Web Development Short Course
If you’re specifically curious about Career Foundry coding programs, their own Web Development Short Course is an excellent place to begin. This course provides a concise overview of the web development landscape, covering what web developers actually do and what the industry is like. You’ll get introduced to foundational technologies like HTML and CSS, learn about responsive web design, and grasp the basics of JavaScript. By the end, you’ll even build your own simple website, applying the concepts you’ve learned.
This short course is ideal if you’re exploring Career Foundry coding as a potential career path but want to first understand what coding is all about. If larger programs feel like a significant commitment, this free course offers a low-risk way to discover if programming sparks your interest and is worth your time.
The course is structured into five daily 15-minute lessons, similar to the example video featuring Abhishek Nagekar, a web developer at Mozilla, introducing frontend development. Alongside these video lessons, you’ll find practical exercises and insights into career transitioning. If you’re looking for a straightforward introduction to see if coding, and potentially Career Foundry coding, is for you, this is a fantastic starting point.
freeCodeCamp
freeCodeCamp stands out as a comprehensive, free, and self-paced online coding bootcamp. It offers various learning paths, including web development, quality assurance, machine learning, and cybersecurity. For beginners interested in web development and potentially Career Foundry coding bootcamps later on, starting with the Responsive Web Design certification is highly recommended.
freeCodeCamp’s curriculum is structured around small, manageable learning modules. You learn a concept and immediately apply it through exercises. Each certification culminates in five projects. Completing these projects and passing the associated tests earns you a certification.
A significant advantage of freeCodeCamp is that you build a web development portfolio as you progress. This portfolio becomes invaluable when you’re ready for job applications after completing freeCodeCamp or a program like Career Foundry coding bootcamp. They also have active and supportive online forums to help you overcome challenges. Many cities also host local freeCodeCamp study groups for in-person collaboration.
Once certified, freeCodeCamp also provides a course dedicated to coding interview preparation, a crucial skill emphasized by Career Foundry coding career services as well. Coding interviews are a unique skill set, and preparation is key, as highlighted in resources like guides to web developer interview questions.
freeCodeCamp is a robust option for those seriously considering coding or a web development bootcamp like Career Foundry coding. Whether you aim to complete the entire freeCodeCamp program independently or use it as a stepping stone to explore web development before investing in a more structured program, it’s a valuable resource.
CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science
Want a taste of Ivy League computer science education? Harvard University’s CS50x, an introductory computer science course, is a popular online option. If you are considering a deep dive into tech and want to see if computer science, potentially as a foundation for Career Foundry coding, is for you, CS50x is an excellent choice.
CS50x focuses on teaching algorithmic thinking and efficient problem-solving. It covers core computer science concepts like abstraction, algorithms, data structures, encapsulation, resource management, security, software engineering, and web development. The course uses languages like C, Python, SQL, and JavaScript (along with CSS and HTML for web development aspects).
Problem sets are drawn from real-world scenarios in fields like biology, cryptography, finance, forensics, and gaming. Regardless of your specific coding interests, CS50x builds a strong foundation and teaches you to think like a software engineer, a skill highly valued in Career Foundry coding and the tech industry in general. If you’re unsure which area of programming appeals to you, CS50x lets you explore various domains.
The course is designed to take approximately 12 weeks, but it’s self-paced. Completing nine programming assignments and a final project makes you eligible for a certificate. This rigorous introduction can be a fantastic precursor to more specialized training like Career Foundry coding bootcamps.
MongoDB University
Many free coding classes emphasize frontend development. If you’re intrigued by backend development, a crucial area in web development and relevant to full-stack programs like Career Foundry coding, MongoDB University is a great place to start. Backend development deals with the data layer of web applications, the behind-the-scenes workings, as explained further in guides differentiating frontend and backend development.
MongoDB is a widely used NoSQL database, popular among analysts and web developers. MongoDB University offers courses that explain databases, and how to search, create, and analyze data. You’ll also learn about authentication and authorization, valuable skills to highlight on your CV when seeking roles after completing courses like Career Foundry coding.
The courses are practical and self-paced, featuring video lectures, labs, and quizzes. Completing labs and a final exam in courses like MongoDB Basics (approximately 8.5 hours) earns you a certificate of completion. Understanding databases is a critical component of full-stack web development, making MongoDB University a valuable resource for anyone considering Career Foundry coding or similar full-stack programs.
Skillshare Coding for Beginners
Skillshare’s Coding for Beginners course is designed specifically for those who are completely new to coding. If you’re considering learning a specific programming language but haven’t yet decided on a direction, this course provides a broad introduction to fundamental coding concepts. This overview can be especially helpful in deciding if a more intensive program like Career Foundry coding is the right next step.
This course introduces coding concepts that are transferable across different programming languages. Understanding these core principles gives you a solid foundation before you delve into mastering a specific language and its syntax, which you would do in a program like Career Foundry coding.
The course includes 30 lectures with seven hours of video content, along with tests and assignments. By the end, you’ll complete a beginner-level project, building a simple app using both Scratch and Python. This hands-on experience can solidify your understanding of basic programming logic and help you gauge your interest in further coding education, such as Career Foundry coding.
Codecademy Learn Java
Java, while sometimes considered a more challenging language to learn, remains a significant and important language in the programming world. Codecademy offers a free Learn Java course on its user-friendly platform, making it an accessible option for aspiring coders exploring different languages before committing to a specific path like Career Foundry coding.
Codecademy’s platform is known for its engaging and varied content. They offer a vast catalog of free coding classes and paid resources through their Pro collection, which includes certificates of completion.
The Learn Java course comprises eleven coding classes, starting with Java and Object-Oriented Programming (OOP). (You can also find beginner’s guides to OOP for a refresher). You’ll progress through topics like loops, string methods, and debugging Java code, among others. Learning Java can broaden your programming skills and open up different career avenues, whether you pursue Java-specific roles or use it as a foundation for broader web development skills relevant to Career Foundry coding.
University of Toronto Learn to Program: The Fundamentals
Many top universities worldwide offer free online coding classes. The University of Toronto’s Learn to Program: The Fundamentals course, taught by experienced Computer Science Department lecturers, provides an introduction to Python. Python is a highly versatile and popular language, and learning it can be a strong starting point for anyone considering a career in tech, including exploring options like Career Foundry coding.
Python consistently ranks as a top programming language. The Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2023 highlights Python as the third most popular language for learners, after HTML/CSS and JavaScript, and the fourth most used by professional developers.
This Coursera-hosted course is divided into seven free coding classes, requiring approximately 25 hours to complete. You can adjust the pace to fit your schedule.
The course offers a gentle yet comprehensive introduction to Python fundamentals, covering:
- Variables
- Functions
- Strings
- Boolean statements
- For loops
- String manipulation
- While loops
- Tuples
Classes include video lectures, assignments, and quizzes. Mastering Python is a highly valuable skill in web development and data science, and this course can be a great foundation before considering more intensive web development programs like Career Foundry coding.
Project-Based Learning Resources on GitHub
Learning by doing is crucial in mastering coding fundamentals. Beyond structured courses, project-based learning is incredibly effective.
In today’s digital age, with quick-fix promises of “LEARN CODING IN 2 SECONDS!!!!!”, beginners can easily feel overwhelmed or discouraged by perceived slow progress. It’s important to relax, enjoy the learning process, and focus on projects that genuinely interest you.
This is where project-based learning resources on GitHub become invaluable.
This GitHub repository compiles a list of free project tutorials for over 20 programming languages. Projects range from building a microblog using the Python framework Flask, to a machine learning project predicting wine quality, to creating a retro FPS game with Swift. Engaging in projects allows you to apply your knowledge practically and build a portfolio, which is essential whether you pursue self-learning or consider a structured program like Career Foundry coding.
SheCodes Express
While numerous introductory coding classes are available online, SheCodes Express distinguishes itself by being live. This format offers a different learning experience compared to self-paced courses and can be a good way to get a quick overview before exploring options like Career Foundry coding.
Held every few weeks, this 60-minute live lesson covers HTML/CSS, JavaScript, the VS Code editor, React, and APIs, among other topics. You’ll witness live-coding demonstrations, gain insights into current web development trends, and have the opportunity to ask a professional developer your questions in real-time.
SheCodes originated with a mission to address the gender imbalance in development and engineering. Recommended by over 180,000 women, they offer a range of coding workshops from one-week to eight-month durations. SheCodes Express offers a quick, interactive introduction that can help you decide if web development and potentially programs like Career Foundry coding are areas you want to explore further.
Google’s Python Class
Google, a major player in the internet world, offers its own free Google’s Python Class through Google for Education. While not visually flashy, this course is highly effective. It guides you from initial Python setup through sorting, strings, and regular expressions, to utilities, combining video lectures and text-based materials.
You can test your learning through exercises ranging from data scraping popular baby names in the U.S. to log puzzle challenges. While the video lectures are in English, you can adapt the exercises to other languages if preferred. Learning Python through Google’s resources provides a solid foundation and aligns well with the skills often taught and expected in web development programs like Career Foundry coding.
AI Prompt Engineering for Developers
In light of the rapid advancements in generative AI, any list of coding classes would be incomplete without addressing AI and web development. This AI Prompt Engineering for Developers course, developed in collaboration with OpenAI (of ChatGPT), is relevant for all coding experience levels and takes about an hour. Understanding AI tools is becoming increasingly important in the tech landscape, including web development and potentially in roles you might pursue after Career Foundry coding.
The course focuses on developing skills in crafting effective prompts for Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT or Google’s Bard. Whether you aim to code as a hobby or pursue a career as a software engineer or web developer, mastering these tools is increasingly vital.
While foundational coding skills remain essential, and relying solely on AI coding tools isn’t advisable, understanding coding prompts for LLMs is becoming a crucial skill for programmers in the evolving tech landscape. This short course requires some Python knowledge but aims to equip you to even build your own custom chatbot. Integrating AI skills into your coding toolkit is a forward-thinking approach, regardless of whether you choose to further your education through Career Foundry coding or other paths.
Choosing the Right Free Coding Class for You
With so many free options available, how do you choose? Here are key factors to consider when selecting a free coding class that aligns with your learning style and goals, especially if you’re exploring pathways like Career Foundry coding:
Structure
Consider the course format: Is it video-based, project-based, or more theoretical? Reflect on your learning style. Are you better suited to visual learning through videos? Do you learn best by doing projects? Or do you prefer a more theoretical approach first?
Be honest about your preferences. Will a purely theoretical, 100-hour course hold your attention? Do you find video lectures helpful or prefer faster-paced learning? Do you thrive on structured, bite-sized information?
Examine the structure of potential courses and ensure it aligns with your learning style. Also, consider the schedule – do you prefer self-paced learning or structured assignments with deadlines, as you might find in a program like Career Foundry coding?
Fundamentals Focus
Technology evolves rapidly. It’s crucial that a course teaches fundamental coding principles rather than just syntax memorization. Understanding the underlying concepts will ensure your long-term success as technologies change and grow, skills highly emphasized in Career Foundry coding programs.
Support System
Does the course offer support when you get stuck, such as forums or Slack channels? Having a support network can be invaluable when learning new concepts. Knowing you’re not alone and can access help increases your likelihood of success, especially when tackling challenging topics in preparation for more intensive programs like Career Foundry coding.
Instructor Expertise
Investigate the credentials and experience of the course instructor or creator. Have they worked in the web development field? Practical, real-world experience is highly valuable.
While a PhD isn’t necessary, learning from someone with firsthand experience in web development best practices is beneficial. Instructors with industry experience can offer insights and guidance that purely academic instructors might miss, which is often a hallmark of programs like Career Foundry coding that emphasize career readiness.
Course Recency
Technology changes quickly. Check the course’s creation date and the versions of programming languages and frameworks taught. Are they current?
Look up the latest versions of technologies mentioned on their official websites. Courses within the last couple of years are generally acceptable, but avoid courses published 8 or more years ago, as they may teach outdated practices and technologies not relevant to current industry standards and programs like Career Foundry coding.
Community Feedback
If the course has comments or reviews, browse through them. A large number of unanswered questions or expressions of confusion might indicate the tutorial isn’t as clear or effective as others. Community feedback can offer valuable insights into the learning experience and potential challenges, helping you make a more informed decision before investing your time, especially if you’re considering this as a precursor to Career Foundry coding.
Final Thoughts
There you have it – a curated list of free coding classes to kickstart your coding journey. These resources provide diverse learning styles and cover a range of topics, helping you explore web development and decide on your next steps, including whether Career Foundry coding programs are a good fit for you.
Remember, there’s no single “perfect” starting point for everyone. All the courses listed are excellent based on your individual time commitment and interests.
Don’t overthink your choice of course provider or class. The most important step is to simply begin. Start coding, explore, and see where it takes you.
Think you’re ready to take a more significant step beyond free classes? Then speak to a program advisor at Career Foundry to discover if their Full-Stack Web Development Program could be the ideal path to launch your tech career.
If you’re interested in learning more about the world of coding and career paths in tech, explore further articles and resources available online and on sites like Career Foundry.
